Thanks to a comment from Dominic van Lievenoogen in our recent post about Makita’s 12V Max CXT drill and impact driver combo, we now know that the new Makita 12V Max CXT cordless power tool platform will launch with more tools than we previously knew about.
Given the designs of these tools, I think it’s clear that Makita plans to replace their current 12V Max lineup with this new one. If so, there will likely be a transitional period.
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Makita 12V Max CXT Tools
- Impact Driver (TD110D)
- Drill (DF331D)
- Screwdriver (DF031D)
- Hammer Drill (HP331D)
- Circular Saw (HS301D)
- Reciprocating Saw (JR104D)
These model numbers are the tool’s international designations; their USA launch is unknown except for the drill and impact.
Buy Now: Makita CXT 12V Drill & Impact Driver Combo
Makita 12V CXT Power Tools Common Features
As previously mentioned in our initial post and when a new CXT combo appeared on Amazon, Makita designed the 12V Max CXT platform around a new sliding battery pack design.
This means that Makita 12V Max CXT tools will look and feel more like the brand’s 18V cordless power tools.
According to a translated Japanese press release, since Maktia USA has yet to deliver on their promise of more information, the Makita 12V CXT tools will offer “improved high-capacity, ease of use, and durability” compared to their prior generation of 12V Max cordless power tools which are designed around a “plug-in” battery form factor.
Additional common features include:
- Easy to hold grip shape
- Improvement in durability
- Fast charging
According to the same Japanese release, the sliding battery allows for engineers to adjust the placement of the battery. This means slenderer handles which are easier to grip.
The CXT sliding battery pack design also leads to improved battery retention and “increased power supply terminal contact.” This means less “rattling and poor contact of the battery,” resulting in increased durability.
Additionally, as with Makita’s 18V batteries and chargers, the new 12V Max CXT battery design will allow for rapid charging thanks to the charger’s built-in cooling fan. Charging time will be 22 minutes for a 1.5Ah, which is a lot quicker than the 50-60 minutes their current/last generation 12V Max batteries took to recharge.
Maybe something was lost in the translation, but it seems that Makita is really dumping on their previous generation of 12V Max tools. Things like “rattling and poor contact of the [plug-in] battery” elevates the design of the new CXT tools, but at the expense of the old ones.
The 22 minute charging time is for Makita’s 12V Max CXT 1.5Ah battery (BL1015) and DC10SA charger. There will also be a slower charger, DC10WC. With the slow charger, a 1.5Ah battery pack willt ake 50 minutes to fully recharge.
Following specs are subject to change. All of the listed specs are for the international models, which might change slightly for USA models.
Makita 12V Max CXT Impact Driver
The new Makita CXT impact driver is reasonably powerful, and fairly compact. Although it lacks the power and electronic speed control of the category-leading Milwaukee M12 Fuel impact driver that we reviewed, it should be a nice sidekick for light to medium duty fastening tasks.
If you need more than 1,000 in-lbs of fastening-driving torque, you’re usually better off stepping up to an 18V model anyway.
For casual use, this looks like it could be a solid budget-friendly offering.
- Variable speed 200-2,600 RPM, 0-3,500 IPM
- Up to 970 in-lbs max torque
- 153mm (~6.02″) long
- Weighs 1 kg (2.2 lbs) with battery
- LED worklight
Makita 12V Max CXT Drill
Makita is coming out with two 12V Max CXT “driver drills,” which we’ll simply describe as a drill and screwdriver.
As with the impact driver, there’s nothing seemingly spectacular about the new cordless drill, but it does have an appealingly slender handle grip.
While Bosch and Milwaukee’s 12V Max and M12 drills and drivers feature the same “plug-in” style battery form factor as Makita’s previous generation of 12V Max tools, their ergonomics are still quite good. I don’t even mind the slightly extra girth of Milwaukee’s latest generation of M12 and M12 Fuel pistol-grip tools – not at all – as they are quite nicely ergonomically shaped.
Still, the slender grip of Dewalt’s 12V Max drill, which I reviewed long ago, fits a little more naturally in my hand. I would expect nothing less of the new Makita CXT drill/driver.
- 3/8″ single sleeve drill chuck
- 2-speed gearbox 0-450 / 0-1,700 RPM
- Up to 30 Nm (~270 in-lbs) max tightening torque
- 189 mm (~7.44″) long
- Weighs 1.1 kg (~2.4 lbs) with 2.0Ah battery
- LED worklight
Makita 12V Max CXT Screwdriver
There doesn’t seem to be much difference between the new CXT drill and screwdriver, aside from the chuck type. On the drill you get a standard drill chuck, and on the screwdriver you get a quick release 1/4″ hex chuck.
If I were the type that liked to use hex-shank drill bits, I might share in how Makita calls this a “drill driver” instead of a screwdriver. Just keep in mind that, even though I like calling these types of tools screwdrivers, they’re designed to handle drilling applications just as well.
- 1/4″ hex quick release chuck
- 2-speed gearbox 0-450 / 0-1,700 RPM
- Up to 30 Nm (~270 in-lbs) max tightening torque
- 157 mm (~6.2″) long
- Weighs 0.94 kg (~2.1 lbs) with 2.0Ah battery
- LED worklight
Makita 12V Max CXT Hammer Drill
The new Makita 12V Max CXT hammer drill is very similar to the drill/driver and screwdriver, but with the addition of a vibratory hammer mode for masonry drilling applications.
- 3/8″ single sleeve drill chuck
- 2-speed gearbox 0-450 / 0-1,700 RPM
- 0-6,750 / 0-25,500 BPM in hammer mode
- Up to 30 Nm (~270 in-lbs) max tightening torque
- 201 mm (~7.9″) long
- Weighs 1.1 kg (~2.5 lbs) with 2.0Ah battery
- LED worklight
Makita 12V Max CXT Circular Saw
Ah, a Makita CXT trim saw! This goes a long way to convince me that the 12V Max CXT lineup is meant to replace the previous 12V max power tool lineup.
It’s frustrating that Makita chose to carry over the 3-3/8″ blade size, the same as their 12V Max version, but blades of this size aren’t too difficult to find.
There’s still room for Makita to come out with larger 12V Max CXT circular saws, especially if they plan to join Milwaukee and Bosch in the brushless tool arena. So far Dewalt has been another holdout.
Since this is only the launch of Makita’s new CXT cordless power tool lineup, there’s no basis to predict or guess as to what might be on their long-term roadmap.
- 85 mm blade size (~3-3/8″)
- 20 mm arbor hole
- Max cutting capacity of 25.5 mm (~1″) at 90°, 16.5 mm (~0.65″) at 45°
- Weighs 1.5 kg (~3.3 lbs)
- Can make about 110 cuts through 1 x 4 lumber per battery charge
Makita 12V Max CXT Reciprocating Saw
As with all of the other new Makita CXT tools, the new 12V Max CXT reciprocating saw bears a strong resemblance to the previous 12V Max recip saw, which came out in 2012.
I like that it has both trigger and paddle switches. Makita says that the trigger switch is especially handy for when you work at heights or in narrow places, while the paddle switch is especially useful for when you “want to work with retention need of force.” I suppose this means you can trade some of your switch-pressing effort for control and pressure.
Or you can simply use the trigger or paddle switch as your comfort or application requires.
- Paddle AND trigger switches
- Max cutting capacity: 50 mm (~2″) when 6-inch blade is used
- 0-3,300 SPM
- 13 mm (~1/2″) stroke length
- Weighs 1.3 kg (~2.87 lbs)
- Can make about 30 cuts through 2×4 lumber per battery charge
First Thoughts
Time and testing will tell whether Makita’s 12V Max CXT compact cordless power tools stand competitively against other brands’ offerings.
There will likely be a transitional period during which Makita releases additional CXT tools. Looking through our Makita 12V Max tool news category, the brand released very few 12V Max tools in recent years, and so it might not take long before there’s a CXT tool for every existing plug-in-style 12V Max offering.
Makita’s 12V Max lineup has grown long in the tooth, but there were some neat tools, such as their new LED flashlight/area lantern. For the most part, Makita’s drills, drivers, and saws had been outshined compared to what the competition brought out in recent years.
I am very enthusiastic about Makita’s 12V Max CXT offerings, and optimistic as well.
We’re still waiting on official information and tool specs from Makita USA, but I don’t see any reason why this full CXT lineup wouldn’t be released here. Let’s hope that they are, and that they prove to be strong competition against current Milwaukee, Bosch, and Dewalt (is Dewalt even interested in the 12V-class market anymore?) offerings.
Dominic van Lievenoogen says
Lets hope they add alot of new things quickly =)
Steven B says
Looks a lot like DeWalt to me….except I’m a DeWalt fanboy, so paint them yellow and black and I’ll consider them. Until then, it looks like you were late to the party. No brushless, looks just like DeWalt, no cool case like Bosch. Sorry Makita, you’ll have to do better.
glenn says
More competition in the 12v/10.8v market can only be a good thing. Makita as well as Bosch both have some useful tools in this voltage that I would like to have. It will be interesting to see how quickly they add to the line and what innovations they can bring
Toolfreak says
I still hope that this 12V line doesn’t actually replace the current ‘compact’ form factor 12V Max tools, and both form factors coexist.
Larger 12V tools have their place, sure, but the more brands that are involved in the 12V Max compact tool market, the better.
Stuart says
I share that hope, or at least I did before Makita highlighted all the things wrong with the previous line’s battery form factor, but I don’t think they’re going to want both versions of each tool out there for very long.
With better specs and inherent improvements, the new CXT line will likely be the dominant one, at least after the transitional period.
Toolfreak says
Well, even if they do get rid of the old 12V Max compact tools, maybe they will come out with new ones.
I guess sales will determine that, or if they ARE exiting the compact tool market completely, maybe their sales were so dismal they decided to go back to regular size tools, even for the 12V line.
If that’s the case, it may be that Bosch and Milwaukee dominate the 12V compact tool market so much, Makita wasn’t doing very well.
Michael says
I won’t be ditching my Bosch 12V max. I do wish all of
Michael says
The overseas tool manufacturers would show a little more interest in the US market
Toolfreak says
I like my Bosch 12V Max tools too, but Bosch should be embarassed that Makita’s compact 12V Max circular saw has been out long enough to be replaced by a new line of tools – and Bosch’s compact 12V circular saw is still nowhere to be found, in the U.S. market, at least.
Hang Fire says
Makita is finally admitting that pod-type batteries are a mistake, even in 10.8/12V. It remains to be whether Bosch can admit it, too.
Frank D says
doesn’t every company besides dewalt use those batteries in the 12v lines? I mean Milwaukee is number one ands its pretty late to switch that up for them,.. But Bosch, Black and Decker, Craftsman, Hitachi, and I’m sure others as well….
What was the mistake??
Also just on a note its a bit disappointing that they didn’t go the same way as dewalt with the 12-20/18v 2n1 Charger. Milwaukee personally knocks that out of the park in my opinion… I am usually surprised when buying an m18 product that has the standard 1 18v charger and not the updated m12 m18 combo charger.
Well now that were seeing some brushless models maybe we will see some more complex tools via makita
Dominic van Lievenoogen says
http://www.makita.biz/product/category/cordless/df331d_df031d_hp331d_td110d_108v/index_f.html#2
Here’s the international inf on the tools.
Hang Fire says
I see they are differentiating their market with Slow and Fast chargers… even though the difference is manufacturing them is pennies. This is not just insulting to buyers, but shows that they are more interested in being cleverly copying competitors then achieving market dominance by selling something that is across the board a better product.
Hang Fire says
Give me edit or I’m giving up on commenting here.
Hang Fire says
Impressive that they remembered to not use yellow in their slavish copy of Dewalt’s 10.8/12V “Max”.
Jerry says
Just a nit to pick, but why doesn’t the recip saw seem to require a hex key for blade changes?
Nick says
Its really interesting that Milwaukee seems to dominate the 12v market. Right angle drill and 3/8 drivers, variety of less common tools, 18v/12v combo charger that can charge one 18v and one 12v battery at the same time, etc. Even Snap-On could take some tips from Milwaukee.
I’m very invested in the Makita 18v line, and its incredible, they had the widest bandsaw I could find (5-1/2 inches, very usefull!) and the 18vX2 tools are very powerfull (have the rotary hammer) but with smaller form factor tools you would use in automotive applications, there is no way you can replace Snap-on/Matco/Ingersoll rand’s line up of light duty 1/4, 3/8, and hex tools. Milwaukee’s tool line up can, and if you are going 18v and 12v tools, Milwaukee is probably the clear choice right now.
Tom says
I use to test all the BOT power tools. Each will have their favorites.
What I like see is a drill that is more closely like a D handle because then I can put more direct pressure on the screw head. T handles twist my wrist, and if anyone is truly a drill/driver user, you know what I mean. I still use the Makita 9.6v because of that, and most professionals will tell you the handles make a difference. With the T handle, I have to use a second hand to press down on the drill to keep it from stripping the screws.
The BOT Csaws made by Dewalt are aweful, cause there isn’t enough power and the batteries drain too quickly. Makita chooses to stay with the 3 3/8 inch thin blade because you can get reasonable number of cuts.
If I were the designer, I would have taken the existing 10.8v or 12v max tool and stacked the batteries to get better capacity and have the battery twisted into the base of the tool. There is no reason why the battery cannot be part of the tool and also have it slide forward of backword for T handle or D handle config. . There really is no need to have an 18V other than bragging rights……or unless you intend to make the drill a hammer drill or have a capacity larger than 1/2 inch chuck. After that, use a corded tool if you need that much power.
Frank D says
For a long time I was seriously against cordless tools. I mean the power was terrible say for instance the 9.6 stick battery with the older 3-3/8 circ its literally horribly underpowered and no life whatsoever not to mention w NiMh & NiCad the life, time of charge and run time of the batteries were pitiful. With Li-Ion 12 and 18v tools this is not the case in any way, Now I will agree that 12v tools get a bad rap these days considering not too long ago that was considered top of the line along with 14.4.
All that being said the 18v tools literally have replaced the need for corded tools in almost every aspect. I have Milwaukee’s m18 fuel Impact Wrench w/ the 5ah batteries and this will remove lugs from Peterbuilt’s. Sometimes for fun I use it for lag bolts and its insane how much actual torque there is coming out of it….